Emergency Ladder Launcher

ABSTRACT

It can be difficult for a person in the water to get onto a boat or dock. The emergency ladder launcher is a device mounted on a boat or a dock with a release mechanism that can be activated by a person in the water to deploy a ladder.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Launcher is used to house a rope and PVC pipe ladder. The launcher's main purpose is for use if a person falls off a boat or a dock. The person pulls on the strap which releases the ladder.

Use on a Boat

-   -   The bag is fastened over the lifeline using the two long Velcro         strips.     -   The ladder is tied to a stanchion on the boat.     -   The ladder is positioned in the bag and the lower end of the bag         is folded up and fastened in place over the ladder.     -   The strap is fastened to the Velcro both on the front and back         of the bag. This prevents the strap from being tossed onto the         deck. Weights are also added to keep strap in place.     -   The strap is hung down over the side of the boat.

Use on a Dock

-   -   Fastening to dock: Attach three hooks to dock. The bag is hung         by placing the three grommets over the hooks.     -   The ladder is attached to the dock with a cleat.     -   The ladder is positioned in the bag and the lower end of the bag         is folded up and fastened in place over the ladder.     -   The strap is fastened to the Velcro both on the front and of the         bag.     -   The strap is hung down over the side of the dock.

MAKING THE EMERGENCY LADDER LAUNCHER

-   -   Cut fabric for bag—1 piece—42 inches×21 inches     -   Cut fabric for strap—2 pieces—72 inches×4 inches.     -   Sew on Velcro as shown on page 1, page 2, and page 3.     -   Fold sides toward side B on fold lines, stitch in place. Shown         on p 4.     -   Fold top edge to side B on fold lines and stitch in place. Shown         on pp 5&6.     -   Sew strap pieces together, outsides together, leaving an area         open at the center of strap. Turn strap right side out. Add         weights inside center of the strap. Top stitch sides of strap.     -   Sew strap to bag at fold line as shown on page 7. The Velcro on         the strap should be facing the bag.     -   Fold the edge over to cover the edges of the strap as shown on         page 7 and 8. Top stitch all sides.         Add grommets, as shown on page 9.

More Detailed Instructions

Cut a piece of canvas 42 inches×21 inches this is for the bag. Cut 2 pieces 72 inches×4 inches, this is for the strap. Using 1 inch wide Velcro sew on Velcro as stated below.

-   -   Side A: Two inches from the top edge, three inches from the side         edges and three inches apart sew on three, 3 inch strips of         Velcro     -   On the outer side edges (both sides) 17 inches from the top edge         and 1 inch from the outer edge sew on a 3 inch piece of Velcro.         Add a grommet just below the Velcro. Add second 3 inch piece of         Velcro 3 inches below the first one.     -   Two inches below that sew on a 3 inch strip of opposing Velcro         and another 3 inch piece below that one.     -   Twenty three inches from the top edge and 7 inches from the side         edges     -   Turn fabric over. Side B     -   Seven inches from the top and 3 inches from each edge sew on a         15 inch long piece of Velcro.     -   Ten inches from the top edge and three inches from each edge sew         on a 15 inch piece of opposing Velcro. Add three grommets, one         near each edge and one centered.     -   Five inches from the bottom edge and 3 inches from side edges         sew on three 3 inch pieces, 3 inches apart of opposing Velcro to         the pieces on the top front.     -   Fold sides toward Side B on shown fold lines. Stitch in place.     -   Fold top edge to Side B on shown fold lines. Stitch in place.     -   On one of the strap pieces, sew a 9 inch piece of Velcro to each         end, 7 inches from the end and 1½ inches from the edges. This is         the opposing Velcro to the 9 inch pieces on the first side.     -   Folding fabric from side A to B, hem both sides.     -   Folding from side A to B hem top edge.     -   Sew strap pieces together, outside together, leaving a six inch         opening at the center.     -   Turn straps right side out.     -   Cut 20 18 inch pieces of lead weighted cord and insert it into         the opening. Top stitch sides of strap.     -   Attach straps to bag on Side A 4 inches from the bottom edge and         3 inches from the side edges. Straps should extend toward upper         edge and the Velcro on the straps should be facing the bag.     -   From the lower edge fold over 2 inches toward side A and then         fold down another 2 inches covering the raw edges of the straps.         Top stitch all four edges.

DRAWING SPECIFICATIONS

FIG. 1—Drawing of Launcher hanging from the lifeline of a sailboat:

-   -   a—lifeline, b—upper edge of release flap, c—area where straps         fold to the back and are held in place by Velcro.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 2—Drawings showing placement of Velcro and fold lines for hems—Side A:

-   -   d—3″ pieces of Velcro, e—3″ pieces of Velcro, f—3″ pieces of         opposing Velcro to e, g—9″ pieces of Velcro, h, i, and j are         fold lines.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 3—Drawing showing placement of Velcro and fold lines for hems—Side B:

-   -   k—15″ piece of Velcro, l—15 inch of opposing Velcro to k, m—3″         pieces of opposing Velcro to d on Side A h, l, and j are fold         lines.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 4—Drawing showing placement of Velcro on piece of strap fabric:

-   -   n—9″ piece of opposing Velcro to g on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5—Drawing showing stitching on strap. Place two strap pieces together, right sides (outsides) together:

-   -   o—Stitching ½″ from edge on long edges, p—opening at the         center (q) of one side seam.

FIG. 6—Drawing showing strap after it is turned right side out:

-   -   r—weights are placed inside through opening, s—long edges of         strap are top stitched.

FIG. 7—Drawing showing side B after folds are made at seam allowance:

-   -   Seam allowance i is folded to Side A and stitched in place. Seam         allowance j is folded to Side B and stitched in place.     -   Velcro e & f correspond to Velcro on FIG. 2. Velcro k, l & m         correspond to Velcro on FIG. 3.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 8—Drawing showing attachment point of strap ends to side A of bag. Velcro is facing toward bag:

-   -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 9—Drawing showing side A of fabric after fabric is folded on fold lines j toward Side A and stitched in place:

-   -   Velcro d and g correspond to Velcro on FIG. 2.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines.

FIG. 10—Drawing showing placement of grommets n:

-   -   Velcro e and f correspond to Velcro on FIG. 2. Velcro k, l, and         m correspond to Velcro on FIG. 3.     -   1 and 2 are assembly fold lines. 

1- The embodiments of the invention in which exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: An emergency ladder launcher comprising a device mounted on a boat or a dock with a release mechanism that can be activated by a person in the water to deploy the ladder. 